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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Positive Messages

There is some crude bathroom humor.

Violence

Sims get jealous and angry and fights can break out. Also, Sims can die.

Sex

Sexual suggestions, situations (Sims can have sex), and some crude humor.

Language

Consumerism

This is part of a franchise that encourages players to acquire wealth. The Sims universe continues to be full of tons of products to buy -- and to desire.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Drinking and bubble-blowing that seems a lot like bong smoking (characters get the giggles).

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that teens can set up pretty odd businesses, such as a bar/spa/bubble-blowing hookah hang-out. Teens can create bars/nightclubs, and they can also place photo booths where Sims can have sex. They can also get jealous and angry and fights can break out. This expansion pack requires The Sims 2 to play.

What's it about?

In THE SIMS 2: OPEN FOR BUSINESS, players nearly intuitively set up their first business. Sims can purchase a community lot to build their store (even a new, teeny-tiny lot) or put on their bunny slippers and just work from home. As in real life, it takes money to make money. Since players decide the prices of services and retail goods, they may learn quite a bit about time and budget management. Successful business owners earn perks, such as contact lists (to build the business further), cash bonuses, and better business relationships.

Is it any good?

The game doesn't deliver on all its potential, but it does teach good entrepreneurial skills to teen players. Also, like all Sims titles, this game offers never-ending creative options. Fans of the franchise may wish that they could build businesses that more closely matched Sims career tracks, so they could open an office, a medical clinic, a fast food place, etc. But, overall, the game does fill a hole in the Sims universe.

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